It is one of the great sliding doors moments but if the Australian internationalist had signed for Celtic rather than Middlesbrough it is unlikely that O’Riley would be in the Danish squad with Champions League football on his CV.
It was classic Keevins yesterday but there was still a couple of minutes left to play, most observers of the Scottish game know that only a complete fool would write off Celtic while there is still time on the clock.
A hefty wage rise would no doubt be on offer at Elland Road but negotiations with Celtic on his current deal which runs until 2026 could bring a similar outcome.
There could well be other clubs and agents interested in taking O’Riley back to England but having sold Jota and Carl Starfelt and saw Aaron Mooy retire the last thing that Celtic need is to lose another starter in the final days of the transfer window.
Sources in the Italian city claim they have slapped in an offer for O’Riley in recent days but it was quickly dismissed by Celts chiefs.
Clancy knows that he can get away with those subjective honest mistakes, he’s had a decade on the circuit, collecting the top match fees, generous expenses and European jollies.
There seemed to be a real lethargy about some of the early play, McGregor was losing his midfield battles while Taylor looked as if he had overdone it in the warm up.
Two years ago Matt O’Riley would barely have known of Postecoglou, The Fields of Athenrye or noticed that there are Celtic/Irish pubs in every holiday resort in Spain.
The 22-year-old has Real Betis, Valencia and Sevilla all monitoring developments over his future this summer.
In January 2022 Matt O’Riley took the switch from playing in League One for MK Dons to the demands of Celtic with only a pause for breathe at Tynecastle after his debut disrupting his routine, a week later he was starring in a 3-0 Glasgow Derby as if he had…